Anderson County, South Carolina
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Anderson County, South Carolina | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of South Carolina |
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| Statistics | |
| Formed | |
|---|---|
| Seat | Anderson |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,962 km² (757 mi²) 1,860 km² (718 mi²) 102 km² (39 mi²), 5.21% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
173,550 89/km² |
| Website: www.andersoncountysc.org | |
Anderson County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of 2004, the population is 173,550. Its county seat is Anderson6. It is included in the Anderson, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area (population 165,740 according to year 2000 U.S. Census figures.
Contents |
[edit] Government
Anderson County has a Council-Administrator form of government under South Carolina law. County Councilmen are elected in seven districts for two year terms. All seven council seat is open for election every two years. The County Council hires and fires administrators at their will. The administrator's office prepares the county budget for each fiscal year and runs the day to day operations of the county. The council approves the county budget and makes all policies that the administrator is to carry out.
The current Anderson County Administrator is Joey Preston
The current Anderson County Councilmen are:
District 1: Fred "Bootstrap" Tolly (R-Anderson City) District 2: Gracie Floyd (D-Anderson City) District 3: Larry Greer (R-Belton area) District 4: Bill McAbee (R-Pendleton area) District 5: Michael G. Thompson (R-Iva area) District 6: Bill Dees (Powdersville area) District 7: M. Cindy Wilson (Williamston area)
[edit] Recent Controversy
Since Councilwoman M. Cindy Wilson was elected in 2000, there has been animosity between her and the county administrator, Joey Preston. The indiscrepancies in the county budget pointed out by Wilson have raised eyebrows towards Preston, as well as several investigations. Preston claims to have 'released' these records that Wilson has requested under the Freedom of Information Act, yet much of the information contained in theses records have been censored beyond any usefulness. M. Cindy Wilson believes that this matter can be resolved with an audit.
This, combined with a fight over school vouchers between Republicans in the State House delegation, has caused a large ideological rift in Anderson County between the progressive Republicans and conservative Republicans.
In District 1, former State Senator, Bob Waldrep, easily won the primary as Fred Tolly did not seek another term. He is opposed by Democrat John W. Owens, who is manager of the Anderson County Fair & Expo Center.
In District 2, conservative Republican Marshall Mitchell will oppose Democratic Councilwoman Gracie Floyd in the majority-minority district. Councilwoman Floyd is heavily favored to win.
In District 3, after narrowly surviving a primary challenge, incumbent Republican Larry Greer faces independent conservative petition candidate Eddie Moore.
In District 4, Bill McAbee was easily re-elected. He faces no Democratic opposition in the November election
In District 5, after a four-way primary, incumbent Michael G. Thompson edged former Councilman Mike Holden in the primary run-off. Thompson faces no Democratic opposition in November.
In District 6 the conservatives have picked up one more seat on the Council with the victory of conservative Republican, Ron Wilson, over incumbent Bill Dees in District 6. He has no Democratic opponent in November.
In District 7, after defeating primary challenger Julia Barnes, the incumbent M. Cindy Wilson has defeated the Democrat Ed Jean by a crushing 64%.
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,962 km² (757 mi²). 1,860 km² (718 mi²) of it is land and 102 km² (39 mi²) of it (5.21%) is water.
[edit] Adjacent Counties
- Pickens County, South Carolina - north
- Greenville County, South Carolina - northeast
- Laurens County, South Carolina - east
- Abbeville County, South Carolina - south
- Elbert County, Georgia - southwest
- Pickens County, South Carolina - west
- Hart County, Georgia - west
- Oconee County, South Carolina - northwest
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 165,740,000 people, 649 households, and 4 families residing in the county. The population density was 89/km² (231/mi²). There were 73,213 housing units at an average density of 39/km² (102/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 81.56% White, 16.59% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 1.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 65,649 households out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 45 living with them, 55.00% were married couples living together, 12.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the county, the population was spread out with 24.60% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 29.10% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,807, and the median income for a family was $44,229. Males had a median income of $32,316 versus $23,834 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,365. About 9.10% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.30% of those under age 18 and 13.80% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Cities and towns
- Anderson
- Belton
- Centerville (Unincorporated)
- Clemson (Anderson/Pickens County)
- Homeland Park (Unincorporated)
- Honea Path
- Iva
- Northlake (Unincorporated)
- Pelzer
- Pendleton
- Piedmont (Anderson/Greenville Counties) (Unincoporated)
- Powdersville (Unincorporated)
- Sandy Springs
- Starr
- West Pelzer
- Williamston
